Heat exchanger for mechanical refrigerating units



Sept. 29, 1931; D. H. EBINGER- 1,825,265

HEAT EXCHANGER FOR MECHANICAL REFRIGERATING UNITS Filed July Q1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l 502 GAS vwenifoz Sept. 29, 1931. D. H. EBING'ER 1,825,265

HEAT EXCHANGER FOR MECHANICAL REFRIGERATING UNITS Filed July 11, 1928 2 Sheets-5heer atta n-4M3 F'ifz Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics DAVID E. EBIN GER, OF GOLUI BUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE D. A; EBINGER SANITARY MFG. 00., OF COLUMBUS, OHIQ, A CORPORATION OF OHIO HEAT EXCHANGES. FOR MECHANICAL FEFBIGEBATING Application filed July 11, 1928. Serial No. 281,928

This invention relates to improvements in refrigerating apparatus, and is particularly directed to an improved type of heat ex- 1 changer or heat absorption unit for use in 5 connection with mechanical refrigerating systems of the type employing a circulating and vaporizable liquid refrigerant.

A primary object of the invention resides in forming the wall of the heat absorption unit 1 so as to provide between them an elongated but compact liquid circulating course through which may travel a liquid or other fluid to be cooled, the heat of such liquid or fluid being partially removed by a contact between the 5 circulating liquid or fluid and the cooled or chilled walls of the unit, which .walls are arranged indirect contact with the liquid refrigerant.

Another object of the invention resides in forming the walls of the absor tion unit so that the water or other liquid eing cooled will be maintained entirely separate from and free from contamination b or gaseous refrigerant dispose unit.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an absorption imit of the character described in which is disposed a liquid refrigerant under pressure, and to provide within the refrigerant a pressure responsive element so constructed and mounted asto effect automatically the actuation of a switch structure governing through the medium of which the pressures of the refrigerant are controllable.

the liquid ,Within the With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the description roceeds, the invention consists in the novel eatures of construction, combinations of elements and arrang ments of parts hereinafter to be more fu 1y described and pointed out in the appended claims. 4

In the accompan ing'drawings':

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view taken through a heat absor tion unit constructed in accordancewith t e present invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 2'-2 of Figure 1,

.ing of a liquid, especially drinking water,

an electric circuit,,;

Figure 3 is a similar view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 1 designates the absorption unit comprising the present invention 1n its entirety. This unit is em loyed as a heat exchanger in mechanical re rigerating appara tus, and in the present form of the lnvention the. same is adapted particularly for the coolalthough the invention is not limited to this use alone but may be adapted generally to the cooling of various kinds of fluids.

In Figure 1 of the drawings there has been represented a boiler unit or heat absorption unit comprising an outer cylindrical casing 2 of smooth wall construction, and arranged within the casing 2 is an inner corrugated shell 3 also of metallic formation. The form of the shell 3 and its position withinthe casing 2 results in the provision of a pluralit of angular grooves or recesses through whic is adapted to be passed the liquid or other fluid to be cooled. The grooves or recesses are indicated by the numeral 4 and adjoining grooves or recesses are united for fluid circulation by means of short longitudinally extending passages 5 provided in the outer portionsof the shell 3. These relatively restricted passages 5 unite the grooves or recesses 4 for" the purpose of permitting of the circulation of water or the like from one end of the casing to the other. In this connection it will be observed that water may enter the grooves or recesses by way of the inlet 6, arranged at one end of the casing, and after circulating throughout the length of the casing, the water is discharged by way of the outlet connection 7 disposed in theopposite end of the casing as regards the inlet 6. The passages 5 are disposed in' relatively offset or sta gered relationship, the arrangement thereo? being such as to positively cause circulation of the water throughout all portions of each of the grooves or recesses 4, for the purpose of procuring eflicient heat transfer as the liquid passes over the chilled or cooled surfaces of the shell 3 and to prevent channellin of the liquid. By this manner of constructing the liquid course or passage- B0 way a very efficient chilling of the incoming water is secured and at the same time the water is maintained in spaced relationship from the refrigerant contained within the interior 5 8 of the unit. Moreover, by reason of the corrugated construction of the shell 3 the freezing of the water passing through the unit will preclude breakage or damage of parts since the shell is sufficiently fiexi 1e to expand or 10 contract in accordance with such conditions without permanent injury to the casing. The corrugated walls provide maximum heat exchange surface within the limited coiifines of the unit. The shell and casing at one end of the unit are provided with inwardl turned adjacent flanges 9, which are secure to the head plate 10 of the unit by means of bolts or screws 11, which when securely tightened prevent the escape of the liquid refrigerant, the latter beingpreferably but not necessarily sulphur dioxide.

The plate 10 carries an inwardly disposed nozzle 12 which is connected by means of an exteriorly leading line 13 to a compressor (not shown) or other source of liquid sulphur dioxide supply, the line 13 being provided with a control valve 14. The nozzle 12 is provided with a discharge orifice 15, which is opened or closed by means of an automatic floatactuated valve 16 of standard construction. It will be seen that as the li uid level within the unit recedes, the float va ve is operated to permit of the inflow of a greater quantity of the S0 liquid and, conversely as the liquid level rises the valve 16 is actuated to partially close or fully close the orifice 15. As the S0 liquid vaporizes following the extraction of heat therefrom b the circulating water in the outer walls 0 the casing, the vapors or ases developed are removed from the casing y way of the outlet pipe 17 which is connected with a valve control line 18, leading to the inlet side of the compressor. It will be understood that the mechanism for admitting of the inflow of the liquid refrigerant into the casing, the exhaust of the gases or vapors of such refrigerant and the asso ciated compressing apparatus are of standard construction and do not comprise directly any part of the present invention, such mechanism having been disclosed merely for purposes of facilitating a clearer understanding of the specific type of apparatus in connection with which the present invention finds particular use. Therefore, any other equivalent apparatus may be employed in connection with the absorption unit for controlling the admission or exhaust of the refrigerant with respect thereto,

Another feature of the present invention resides in providing in connection with the heat absorption unit a pressure responsive means for controlling an associated electrical circuit by means of which the operation of the refrigerant compressor is regulated.

In obtaining this result there is provided a wall 19 which closes the outer end of the refrigerant receiving chamber 8. Mounted on the Wall 19 and arranged within the chamber 8 is what may be termed a metallic bellows 20 which carries a sliding stem 21, the latter being arranged to project through an opening in the wall 19 and has its outer portion positioned within a housing 22 situated at one end of the absorption unit. Engaging with the outer end of the stem 21 is a resistance spring 23 which normally serves to resist movement on the part of the stem. It will be seen that as the pressure within the chamber increases the bellows 20 will be partially collapsed so as to reci rocate the stem 21 against the resistance 0 the spring 23. This movement is utilized to govern the operation of an associated switch mechanism.

In this instance the switch mechanism consists of an arm 24, which is pivoted as at 25 in connection with the housin 22. The upper end of the arm 24 surroun s a collar fixed upon the stem 21, the collar being provided with outstanding studs which are receivable within slots provided in the arm 24. The extreme upper end of the arm 24 is pivotally connected with a spring rest 26, and engageable with this rest is a coil spring 27, the upper end of said sprin being carried by a second spring rest 28 w ich is pivoted as at 29 in connection with the housing 22 and at a position in alignment with the pivotal point of the arm 24 in connection with said housing. Arranged on the stem 21 and spaced longitudinal y thereof are fixed collars 30. These collars are so disposed as to engage the arm 24 when the bellows 20 have been collapsed or expanded to substantially its extreme operating positions. This results in moving the arm 24 past a central position or center line, causing the said arm to assume one extreme position or the other.

Mounted adjacent to the arm 24 and within the housing 22 is a mercury switch 31. This switch consists of a su port 32 arranged w.thin said'housing and by means of which the mercury containing vessel 33 of the switch may be pivotally supported for horizontal swinging movement. Connected with the vessel is a link 34, which extends to the arm 24 so that upon movement of said arm corresponding movement will be imparted to the X20 vessel 33. By thisarrangement the vessel does not occupy a horizontal position but in operation always assumes an angular position with respect to the horizontal. B this arrangement the body of'mercury within the 12 vessel 33 is either in or out of engagement with a pair of spaced circuit terminals 35 with which are connected conductors 36 leading to an electrical motor which governs the operation of the refrigerant compressor. By

this arrangement it will be seen that the fluctuating pressures within the refrigerant chamber 8 may be employed for directly controlling in a purely automatic manner the operation of an associated compressor unit-- for the r purpose of maintaining redetermined pressures on the part of the re rigerant within the boiler or 'otherheat absorption unit. The construction permits of a more accurate and effective control of these pressures than has heretofore been secured by placing the controlling switch at a position remote from theboiler or absorption unit.

In view ofthe foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a boiler unit for mechanical refrigerating systems possessing bothefliciency in operation and simplicity in construction. The method of circulating the water to be cooled through the boiler provides for very eflicient heat transfer and makes for economy in the operation of the s stem. Then, by reason of the location of t e switch mechanism improved control on the part of the state of the refrigerant is ob tained, all of which contributes greatly to the efiectiveness of systems of this kind.

What is claimed is:

1. In a heat absorption unit for liquid refrigerating systems,'a refrigerant container comprising a cylindrical outer wall and an adjoining corrugated inner wall, said corrugations providing a plurality of annular liquid circulating spaces arranged in differen 'planes,'said inner walls being provided with relatively staggered longitudinally extending passages permitting of the flow of a fluid from one of said spaces to another serially, and fluid inlet and outlet connections arranged at op osite ends of said container.

2. In a heat a sorption unit for mechanical refrigerating systems, a refrigerant container comprising an outer casing, a corrugated shell arranged within said casing and closely engaging with the inner walls thereof, the construction of said shell and its relation to said casing producing a plurality of annular liquid circulatin spaces arranged in different planes, there emg short connecting passurrounding and closely engaging with said walls, said cylinder and wall serving to define a plurality of substantially annular fluid circulating grooves, there being short relatively staggered passageways uniting said grooves to permit of water circulation serially through said grooves from one end of the unit to the other, means for introducing a fluid to be cooled into the grooves at one end of said unit and for removing the cool fluid at the otlier end of said unit, and means for maintaining a 1i uid refrigerant within said container at su stantially a predetermined temperature.

5;. In a heat absorption unit for mechanical refrigerating systems, a refrigerant container comprisin inner and outer casings arranged to form t erebetween a plurality. of liquid circulating spaces, there being short relatively staggered passageways uniting said spaces to permit of water circulating serially through said spaces from one end of the unit to the other, means for introducing a fluid to be cooled into the spaces at one end of said unit and for removing the cooled fluid at the other end of said unit, and means for maintaining a liquid refrigerant within said container at substantially a predetermined temperature.

6. In a heat absorption unit, a refrigerant container having Inner and outer walls formed to include a plurality of annular chambers arranged in different planes, staggered assageways uniting said chambers, means or introducing fluid to be cooled into said chambers at one end of said unit and for removing the cooled fluid at the other end of said unit, and means for maintaining a liquid refrigerant within said container at substantially a predetermined temperature.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DAVID H. EBINGER.

sages between said spaces, and means for nlilailrlltaining a. liquid refrigerant within said s e 3. In a heatabsorption unit, a refrigerant container having a corrugated wall structure, a sleeve closely surrounding the corrugated wall structure of said shell, the sleeve and wall structure serving to provide a plurality of annular liquid circulating spaces united by relatively offset assageways, means for introducing a fluid into one of the annular spaces at one end of said shell and means for withdrawing said fluid from one of the annular spaces at the other end of said shell.

4. A heat absorption unit comprising a refrigerant container provided with relatively thin metallic corrugated walls, a cylinder 

